Indonesia Seeks Digital Skills Partnership with India at BRICS Meeting

SUARA NEGERI ■ JAKARTA — Indonesia is seeking closer cooperation with India on digital talent development, artificial intelligence (AI) skills and workforce training as technological change reshapes labor market demands, Manpower Minister Yassierli said during a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart.

Yassierli met India's Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, on the sidelines of the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting (LEMM) 2026 in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The Indonesian minister said the two countries, as large developing economies with young populations, could expand cooperation by sharing expertise in digital workforce development, technology-driven innovation and vocational training.

"Indonesia sees India as an important partner in human capital development. As two major developing economies with dynamic growth and large young populations, our countries have significant opportunities to exchange experiences in building a competitive, inclusive and future-ready workforce," Yassierli said.

During the meeting, Yassierli expressed interest in learning from India's experience in developing a digital ecosystem that supports job creation, skills development, innovation and technology-based investment.

He also highlighted opportunities to cooperate on data center development, digital infrastructure and AI skills initiatives involving governments, employers and industry.

"Digital transformation must be accompanied by workforce readiness. Developing AI talent, strengthening digital competencies and expanding reskilling and upskilling programs are essential to help workers adapt to technological change and seize new opportunities," he said.

Yassierli proposed expanding cooperation through technical exchanges, expert dialogues, study visits, joint capacity-building programs and institutional partnerships between labor ministries and vocational training institutions.

The discussions also covered ways to improve skills and entrepreneurship among informal workers, facilitate their transition into formal employment, and exchange best practices on labor rights, social protection and occupational safety for platform and gig workers.

Indonesia is committed to strengthening cooperation with India, both bilaterally and through the BRICS framework, to promote decent work, enhance workforce competitiveness and build labor market institutions capable of responding to rapid technological transformation, Yassierli said.